Bangkok, Thailand. 18 April 1945. Bombs exploding on the west end of the lock gates on the Klong ...

Bangkok, Thailand. 18 April 1945. Bombs exploding on the west end of the lock gates on the Klong Phasi Charoen canal. Lock gates on the western canal system of Thailand between twenty five and fifty five miles from Bangkok were destroyed at three points in a low level daylight air attack by Liberator bomber aircraft of No. 356 Squadron RAF, Strategic Air Force, Eastern Air Command. The attacks were carried out on the fancifully-named 'Comfortable King's Way' (Klong Damneum Sadauk) and the 'Prosperous Revenues' (Klong Phasi Charoen) canals, which were being used by the Japanese as an alternative communications route owing to the destruction of railway bridges around Bangkok by Allied bombing. The wrecking of the lock gates has left the canals navigable only at high tides and has reduced their efficiency by approximately 80%. Turned into a military waterway by the Japanese the canals were filled with small craft and power barges. These were also attacked. The two canals run from Bangkok river to Banggondi, on the Meklong River, fifty miles south west of Bangkok, and are about 100 feet wide. The attack, in which several RAAF members took part, which was carried out at deck level height was a complete success and some of the bombers went in to the attack at 100 feet. The remainder attacked at not more than 500 feet.